Chapter 19
I have every intention to kick pregnancy’s butt!
From the moment I got the confirmation from the hospital that I was pregnant, I swear I would give pregnancy a run for its money.
I wasn't going to be like those women who slept in bed all day with zero energy to work.
I have a business to run, and something to prove.
So, everyday, I would talk to my baby and explain that I needed to work, I'll list reasons and try to get him/her on my side.
And for the first month after finding out the news, my baby listened.
However, immediately after arriving in Chicago, the story changed.
I've been sick every day for the entirety of my first and second trimesters.
I didn't let that stop me or affect my work.
I put in the grueling hours five days a week.
It's so funny how the employees here in Chicago were so warm and welcoming.
My first day at work has been so seamless.
I'd met the supermarket manager, Mr. Wells, a round man in his fifties with a charming smile to match, much like a doting grandfather.
We’d hit it off as I toured the store, getting introduced to the staff members.
Since headquarters hadn't alerted them of my arrival, per my request, I had taken them unawares to see if there was something untoward happening here.
Within the first week, I discovered the reason for the poor sales.
Since the store was located in Glenview, a Cook County suburb, it should get the sales traction needed, as the place is a popular shopping district.
Sadly, poor publicity was made concerning the family-centric offers.
Even the storefront and product arrangements were poorly placed.
It looked like a supermarket for mechanics and plumbers.
The product display was abysmal. One look at the front aisles, and you walk right out without bothering to search for the product you want.
The place needed a facelift and an inventory overhaul.
I wrote a detailed report with my findings to HQ, and the appropriate funding was released. Only then did my campaign truly begin.
While I’d been trying to set up the new look and campaign for the three-story building store, I'd also been trying to set up our apartment, with Merry and Gina’s help, of course. We shared weekly tasks for settling into our new home because work was demanding more hours than we had to spare.
Every week a few more brown boxes disappeared, and by July, we were finally unpacked and settled.
Dean and Lenny came over to visit a few times during the summer.
Thankfully, my baby bump wasn’t so noticeable.
Gina ensured all the places we visited during Dean and Lenny’s stay were places that demand loose-fitting dresses and not bikinis.
The sweetest thing happened during one hot summer day when I was reading through the reports curated by the bookkeeper in my cozy office. Mr. Wells knocks on my door before striking in, his smile unwavering.
“You're in a good mood Papa Wells!” Yes, Papa Wells, that's what he demands I call him.
He nods in agreement, “I am. My sweet boy is finally moving back to Glenview!”
I hop off my seat in excitement and grab his hands, “Oh, that's great news!” I squeal, giddy with joy for Papa Wells.
He'd told me about his twenty-eight-year-old only son who was chasing the big guys in the corporate world.
He hardly had time for his aging father, but apparently that is about to change.
“I'm so happy for you,” I confess, pulling him into a hug, but mindful of my growing bump. He sighs in contentment, “I'm glad you're happy. You're always looking lost and sad when nobody is watching. But I can smell a heartbreak from a mile away.”
My heart begins to pound in my chest. Could he smell pregnancy, too?
Instinctively, I stop myself from touching my belly, as I've come to do nowadays when I think of my child.
“No, no! I didn't say that to scare you.
I just want you to know that we care about you.
In fact, I want you to meet my son. You're such a wonderful young woman, and I won't mind having you as my daughter-in-law someday.
Tears fill my eyes at his words. Oh, Cole, look what you've done! For the first time in months, regret fills me. If only I had never given in. I intentionally shove the door closed on the painful memories and press a kiss to Papa Wells’ cheek, “Thank you for loving me this much… Let me think about it.”
Even though I know my words are a lie, I say it so I don't hurt the kind man. I can't do that to him, force another man's child on his son. Nor do I want to start anything with anyone right now. So, even though I meet young Mr Riley Wells over the next few weeks, all we share is friendship .
By the end of August, the Chicago branch hits its peak of sales.
Customers are trooping in non-stop, attracted by the displays and the promise of discounts.
We add new displays of warm clothing in anticipation of fall and winter, reminding people of the seasons to come.
As it’s crunch season at McLean Enterprises, Dean and my parents rescheduled their October visit, much to my delight.
I'm beginning to show, and I don't want to raise any suspicions.
The cherry on top is as it gets colder, the easier it is for me to hide my bump in bulky fur coats.
Once I enter my third trimester, I will fully transition to remote work.
My baby's room is ready, thanks to Merry’s new client, who is an exclusive all-things baby company.
We get the whole works — new paint, stickers, curtains, cot, an organizer, and even a rocking chair for free.
The sea-green colored room and its matching furnishings bring tears to my eyes whenever I go there to just sit or go through the stack of clothes.
Sea green because I'm having a charming baby boy, who I'm going to love with all my heart.
I still get palpitations whenever I think of my family's or Cole’s reaction when the truth about my secret baby comes out. I ensure I push the worry to the far recess of my mind. That is until Dean phones me with an invitation for the family to spend Christmas together in Chicago.
“My answer remains no. This Christmas is about you and Lenny. You both deserve to spend your first Christmas as husband and wife together, not a thousand kilometers away from home just to keep your single sister in the loop,” I warn, my voice coming out sharper than I intend.
Dean huffs in annoyance, “You're being unreasonable!”
I bite my lips at the frustration in his voice, “Dean, I'm not. I wouldn't even be good company because of the campaign I'm spearheading for Christmas. I'm trying to break the record, and I can't do that with you guys breathing down my neck for me to come home and eat dinner.”
Dean grunts, exasperated, and pulls out his chest code, “Mooooom! She's being unreasonable and stubborn!”
I chuckle as my mother comes to the phone, “Dora. You know Christmas is about spending time with family,” she begins, and I quickly come up with an explanation to deflect the long speech I know is coming.
“Yes, mom. This is why part of my mission this Christmas is to ensure that yuletide shopping is the perfect place to spend time with family, bonding over aisles of groceries, and fighting for coupons and flash sales.”
My mom pauses for a minute before agreeing, “Hmm… I see the merit in that. Ever the business guru! We need you to start making these kinds of campaigns for the family business soon. Consider leaving Prime and coming home,” Mom teases.
I laugh in relief at how narrow my escape was.
When I share the news of a family-free Christmas, Gina and Merry are ecstatic.
But I make them swear to visit their own families for the new year.
They didn't have to sacrifice their holidays for me, as well.
After the back-and-forth tussle, they grudgingly agree.
That is, until the baby decided to come one week early.
We’d been putting up the Christmas decorations when it happened, a sudden rush of warm wetness between my legs. I look down at the pool of water at my feet before looking back at my best friends, who are laughing at the ridiculous ornaments we were hanging on the tree.
“Uhm…guys… I think my water just broke.” I announce and then, all hell breaks loose.